Tillotsons to lead fair parade as 2013 grand marshals

Saturday

Jul 20, 2013 at 1:00 PM

By Dennis PelhamDaily Telegram Staff Writer

Ralph and Virginia Tillotson will be leading this year’s Lenawee County Fair parade as grand marshals on Sunday.

The couple said they were surprised when told they had been given the honor and were hesitant to accept it. The Tillotsons have been involved in the county fair for years as 4-H leaders, fair board members and volunteers. Ralph is auctioneering his 41st junior livestock sale at this year’s fair.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Virgina said. “Everybody works so hard that week. We did what we did because we loved it.”

They got involved in the fair about 40 years ago when their sons were old enough to join 4-H and enter livestock in the fair.

“The fair has been part of our lives ever since they were old enough to show,” Virginia said. Their youngest grandson, Clinton Tillotson, graduated from high school this year and is making his last 4-H entry.

“We haven’t done anything more than a lot of other people,” Ralph said. But he is proud to represent those who have volunteered so much to the fair over the years, he said.

“I admire those who have stayed longer than I and my family,” he said.

The Tillotsons were an easy choice for this year’s grand marshals, said Melinda Stubli, chairwoman of the fair parade committee.

Stubli said she collected nominations from fair board members and volunteers. When it came to a vote, she said, the committee was unanimous for the Tillotsons.

“I think they’ve always been affiliated with the fair one way or another,” she said.

Being grand marshals comes with some duties to perform, said Stubli. They will judge the 4-H floats before the parade leaves at 1 p.m. The starting point is on College Avenue near the Cutler Dickerson facility. The Tillotsons will ride in a fringed trailer pulled by an antique tractor on the route along Maumee and Dean streets.

After arriving at the fairgrounds they will participate in opening ceremonies.The Tillotsons have plenty of experience in fair participation.

Virginia was leader of the Round Top 4-H Club 10 years and was office manager at the fair for eight years.

Ralph said the volunteer work has included working the barbecue pit when 4-H had chicken roasts to raise money. He worked as an announcer for the figure eight and demolition derbies.

“That was a lot of fun,” he said.

Fair auctions conflicted with the derbies, he said. He started as a volunteer auctioneer for the junior livestock sale 41 years ago, he said. About 30 years ago he started an auction for small animals and watched that sale grow. A grand champion rabbit might sell for $25 when he started, he said, but now draws bids of $500 to $700.

Doing volunteer work at the fair is something many families enjoy doing together, he said.

“We enjoyed the time our kids were that age,” Ralph said. “It’s just part of what you did. It was part of your life.”